12 Strange Asian Beverages

March 26, 2010

Sodas and other beverages made for the Asian market can often seem strange to us in the Western world. I guess due to different dieting habit and culture, whatever may seem like an odd flavor to us is often very popular there.

From “Wasabi drink” to “cheese drink“, here are some strange Asian beverages you may not have heard of. You might think how the hell those terrifying drink has been made in market… However, look on the bright side, though: they may not be good to drink, but you can’t say they’re not good for a laugh.

1. Cheese Drink

Because Japan is an island nation, it has been historically hard to support a large dairy industry because of the limited amount of available land. Therefore, many Japanese people have never developed much of a taste for milk products. Today, however, some companies are hoping to introduce more dairy into the Japanese marketplace.

This new cheese drink comes in 3 different flavors; plain, blueberry, and yuzu citrus. They use a special process to cut down on the sweet taste of the flavored drinks. It is said to have a taste similar to yogurt, but with a cheesy aftertaste.

Now here’s a marketing hit: a nonalcoholic “beer” for kids that’s selling like crazy.
The beverage, whose main ingredient is the Latin American plant Guarana, sells for around 380 yen per 330-milliliter bottle.

The bottles themselves are colored brown to make the drink look even more like its more potent ounterpart.

Ramune is a popular Japanese soda that is usually fruit flavored, and is recognized by its unique bottle shape and glass bead stopper. However, Ramune also makes two strongly flavored sodas: Curry and Wasabi.

Wasabi [wiki], if you ever ate sushi, you will know this spicy green things for sure…But drink that? OMG! That is just as crazy as drink the Kimchee Drink above…

If you’ve ever gotten the urge to stir some yogurt into your Pepsi, well, you’re lucky to be alive because we’re pretty sure that shit will make your stomach explode. So who would think to combine those two things and sell them commercially? Japan. Pepsi White emerged there last October just in time for their line of winter products. Because nothing screams “winter” like yogurt. Because it’s white.

Water Salad is… well… salad-flavored water. You know, the stuff you get after centrifuging your rinsed romaine in the salad spinner. Funny, we pour it down the drain here; in Japan they can it and put it up for sale in a varied selection of flavors.

If I was a baby, maybe, but not from an udder – I mean, another – mother!

I shudder to think of the scene inside one of the manufacturer’s factories… those poor farm girls, milkmaids or what have you, shackled up to cold, pitiless machines that never, ever stop… and then I woke up.

10. Bilk – When milk meets beer [link]

70% beer, 30% milk, 100% disgusting. Supposedly, Bilk possesses a subtle sweetness that women should find most appealing. Beer bellies, belches and lactose intolerance, not so much. Bilk can be bought at 6 outlets in Japan’s northern province of Hokkaido where bears outnumber humans 2:1. Guess they like the stuff, for their pic-a-nic baskets and all.

11. Placenta Drink is FOSHU for beauty [link]

Made with swine placenta, the drink carries the automotive-sounding name of “Placenta 400000” – perhaps it’s made from the ground & pressed extract of 400,000 placentas? Nihon Shokuten’s not telling, but their revolting beverage should come pre-packaged with mints because there’s nothing worse than placenta-breath in the morning.

About DesignSwan

Launched in 2008, DesignSwan is a web blog devoted to uncovering (and sharing) the latest and greatest design, inspiration, graphics and technology from all over the world. The primary focus of this site is to discover and share. Hence, don’t hesitate to contact us and share your new discovery.

This site may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, DesignSwan may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.